Chapter 6-Diary

THIRD P. O. V

Malia's eyes snapped open, and she sat up and looked around the room, disoriented and that's when she realized she was alone. 

Panic set in as she scrambled out of bed her legs tangling in the sheets. Malia tripped and fell, her hands outstretched to break her fall. But instead of hitting the floor, she landed on top of a warm, solid body. 

Her eyes widened to see Timothee, sleeping on the floor, his blonde hair mussed and his features relaxed in slumber. 

Malia felt relieved knowing he hadn't left, but as she gazed at him, he couldn't help but stare. He was even more handsome than she remembered, his chiseled features and soft lips making her heart skip a beat. 

What am I even thinking? Malia shook her head. 

Just as she was taking in the sight of him. Timothee's eyes flickered open and he was startled to see Malia hovering around him. 

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. 

"I-I just tripped," Malia said hastily, trying to play it cool as she scrambled to her feet. 

Timothee sat up and rubbed his eyes and towered over Malia, "It's okay, Malia." 

Malia nodded and felt a little shaken as she heard him utter his name, "I-I didn't mean to fall out of bed." 

Timothee smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You should be careful. Especially since you're now pretending to be Bianca." 

"Yeah, about my sister. When can we visit her? I want to see her again, make sure she's okay." 

"We will visit her next time, Malia. I promise. But for now, we need to focus on your disguise." 

Malia nodded but it was hard to shake off the worries knowing that her sister was lying in a coma and she was stuck in this elaborate charade. 

"I know this is a lot to take in, but you need to start familiarizing yourself with this home," Timothee advised. "Just stay in character and don't do anything that would raise suspicions."

Malia sighed, "I'm afraid that if I slip up someone find out who really I am." 

"Just chill, Malia. If you need any help or have any questions, just call me. I'll be there in a heartbeat, and most importantly, stay out of trouble." 

Minutes later, Timothee left her in the room and Malia still trying to process the events that had led her to this moment. Looking around the room, Malia's eyes landed on the shelves, where rows of magazine fibers stared back at her.

Her eyes widened in amazement as she took in the sheer scale of her sister's success as a well-known model. 

Malia continued to scan the shelves and saw nothing but modeling-related items like fashion books, designer clothing, and beauty products. It was as if Bianca's life entire life only revolved around her career. 

Malia shook her head and began to search for something, anything that could give her a glimpse into her sister's life. 

That's when she stumbled upon a leather-bound notebook tucked away between two fashion magazines. Malia's heart skipped a beat as she opened the book, revealing page after page of handwritten notes. 

It was Bianca's diary. 

Malia's eyes scanned the first page and her heart broke as she read the words. Bianca had started writing in this diary when she discovered she had a brain tumor, a condition that could potentially erase all her memories. The thought sent a shiver down Malia's spine. She couldn't imagine what it must have been like for her sister to live with that fear. 

As she continued to read, her eyes welled up with tears. Bianca's words poured out of her heart, revealing fears and vulnerability. But it was the next sentence that made her heartache. Bianca wrote down that her only wish before dying was to see her long-lost twin sister. 

Malia sobbed, she had no idea her sister had been searching for her and now she was too late. Bianca lay in a coma and she's here left to pick up the pieces of her life. 

As she read on, Malia discovered more about her fears. She learned about Bianca's struggles with the modeling industry, her relationships, and her passions. With each turn of the page, Malia felt a connection to her sister growing stronger. 

Malia reached the last page of her sister's diary and noticed it wasn't even finished, the words trailed off mid-sentence leaving her with more questions and answers. Malia wondered if this was the point where Bianca had begun to wane. 

Gazing at the incomplete page, Malia wanted to fill the remaining pages to continue her sister's story in her own words. She took a deep breath wiped her tears and grasped a pen. Her hand trembled slightly as she began to write. 

'I'm Malia Morris, Bianca's long-lost twin sister. I'm the one who's pretending to be her and it's been a lie but one I felt I had to tell to keep her memory alive.' 

She poured out her emotions, also sharing her fears and doubts about taking on her sister's identity. Malia wrote the weight of keeping Bianca's secrets and living up to her expectations. She also shared how thankful she is to her fiance, Timothee James who assisted her in this matter. 

Malia was so engrossed in her writing that she didn't even notice a loud knock on the door until it came again. 

"Coming!" Malia quickly closed the diary and hid it in the drawer. 

When she opened the door she found a stunning woman who was wearing only a crop top and a miniskirt. The woman has a dark hair down her back and her bright smile could light up a room. 

"Hey, cuz!" she exclaimed and reached out to kiss Malia's cheeks but Malia froze. 

The woman laughed at her reaction, "You're so stiff, Bianca! Don't you recognize your favorite cousin?" 

Malia tried to place the woman, and she remembered her name. Julia Carter, their cousin. She also remembered Bianca did mention in the diary, that Julia was one of the people she hated. Malia had no idea why but she was determined to find out. 

"What brings you here?" Malia tried to sound casual. 

Julia's grin grew wider, "Just dropping by to say hi, cuz. I haven't seen you in ages. And I have to say, you look...different."

Malia gulped and wondered if Julia had seen through her disguise but she forced a laugh trying to play it cool. "Just a new hairstyle, cuz." 

Julia's eyes narrowed but she said nothing more, just smiled and sauntered into the room. While Malia's instincts told her to be wary of this woman, she had no idea what Julia was capable of.